Fox News host Charles Payne issued a heartfelt apology via Twitter after a guest on his Thursday morning show criticized the military service of Arizona Sen. John McCain, saying that “enhanced interrogation” techniques had “worked on John.”
My Apology to Senator McCain and his Family
“This morning on a show I was hosting, a guest made a very false and derogatory remark about Senator John McCain. At the time, I had the control room in my ear telling me to wrap the segment, and did not hear the comment.— Charles V Payne (@cvpayne) May 10, 2018
I regret I did not catch this remark, as it should have been challenged. As a proud military veteran and son of a Vietnam Vet these words neither reflect my or the network’s feelings about Senator McCain, or his remarkable service and sacrifice to this country.”
Charles V. Payne— Charles V Payne (@cvpayne) May 10, 2018
Payne explained that the control room was speaking into his earpiece at the time the comment was made by former Fox News military analyst Lt. Gen. Thomas McInerney, and because he didn’t hear what was said, the remark went unchallenged.
McInerney, who has not been on the Fox News payroll “for nearly a year,” was responding to McCain’s criticism of Gina Haspell, President Donald Trump’s pick to head the CIA now that the agency’s former director Mike Pompeo has been confirmed as Secretary of State.
The Daily Beast agreed with Payne that McInerney’s claim was false, citing McCain’s own words with regard to the “information” he gave up under torture. “Pressed for more useful information, I gave the names of the Green Bay Packers’ offensive line, and said they were members of my squadron,” McCain has said.